Conflict With Native Americans New England Relations with the Native Population

Root Causes of the Conflicts 1. Land Cleared by English for crops drives away Wildlife…Native food source 2. Colonial livestock runs wild and destroys Indian's crops 3. Puritans attempt to convert Natives to Christian Faith 4. Intrusion on Native land

The Pequot War: 1634-1638 Armed conflict between an alliance of Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies, with Native American allies (the Narragansett and Mohegan tribes), against the Pequot tribe. Results in the Pequot being virtually wiped out.

Causes of Conflict As Connecticut colonists move westward, they push Pequot from their land Clashes occur over control of fur trade, land and other issues English pose economic and political threat to Pequot

Mystic Massacre May 26, 1637 Mystic Village attacked by Puritans and Indian allies. Puritans use “total war” Result is a Massacre of hundreds of men, women and children. Dozens are burned alive as English torch the village

Importance of Mystic Massacre Sets the pattern of possessing Indian land throughout the country for years to come. If the Native people don’t sell and leave the land, English will take it.

King Phillip’s War For 3 years starting in 1675, Wampanoag sachem, Metacomet led disgruntled New England tribes in a suicidal war against English This was son of Massasoit who helped Pilgrims.

King Philip’s Complaints See Reading

Causes Native Americans Resented English taking their lands Imposing English law upon them Natives realize if they don’t do something will loose culture, land and way of life.

Results In a brutal response colonists virtually exterminate most of the original New England tribes. Result was complete dominance of Puritans in New England Ended all violent native opposition in New England 5% of white population and 30% of Indian population dies in conflict Considered deadliest war in American History.